St. Patrick's Day is a day to celebrate all things Irish, including Ireland's trade relationship with Arizona.
Economic ties here are not as deep as in many other European or Asian countries, or even compared to Mexico, Arizona's largest trading partner. However, many Arizona companies have set up shop on the Emerald Isle, and several Irish companies have operations here.
Particular attention should be paid to semiconductor connections. His two big public companies in Arizona, Microchip Technology and ON Semiconductor, both have operations in Ireland.
When representatives of U.S. companies visit Ireland to select a business location, “they are often surprised by the types of businesses that operate there, the activities involved, and the amount of talent available,” she said. said Ivan Houlihan, an official at the site. IDA Ireland, the Irish Government's investment and development agency.
“St Patrick's Day provides an opportunity to highlight Ireland on the world stage,” he added.
ireland arizona companies
At least 15 Arizona-based companies have facilities in Ireland. In addition to Microchip Technology and ON Semiconductor, the list includes Phoenix payments and software business Transact, Scottsdale aerospace maintenance and repair company Standard Aero, and Chandler technology engineering firm MSR-FSR. .
Microchip Technology's design center in Cork develops integrated circuits, software, power systems and more. This is supported by his two other offices in Ireland. ON Semiconductor has design centers in both Cork and Limerick.
Houlihan said U.S. companies that set up facilities in Ireland tend to focus on three industries: The first is technology, which includes both software and hardware. The second area is the life science field, including medical devices and biotechnology. The third category is financial services such as banking and investments.
Ireland sent millions of poor immigrants to the United States in the 1800s and early 1900s, many of whom ended up in Arizona and worked in mines and agriculture. Since then, the country's economy has changed significantly, especially in recent decades.
The Arizona-based company employs more than 1,300 people in Ireland, according to IDA Ireland.
Ireland's changing economy
Ireland is no longer a center for low-cost manufacturing, Houlihan said. Rather, he said, Ireland appeals to many U.S. companies based on its pro-business taxes, skilled workforce and largely shared culture. It also helps that Ireland became the only English-speaking country in the European Union after Britain left eight years ago.
Mr Houlihan added that Ireland's skilled workforce includes people from a variety of nationalities, not just those born on the island.
Other American companies operating in Ireland include Intel, Apple, Eli Lilly, Medtronic and Pfizer. Houlihan said that after Britain left the European Union, various companies with offices in London's financial district opened offices in Ireland, including law firms.
trade flow
Arizona enjoys a large trade surplus with Ireland. According to the Arizona Department of Commerce, last year the state imported goods from Ireland worth $152 million, or 0.4% of total imports, and exported $436 million, or 1.5% of total imports. Ireland was Arizona's 16th largest export market and 25th largest source of imports.
Exports from Arizona to Ireland include chemicals, semiconductors and parts, aerospace products, and other industrial machinery, while items flowing into Ireland include semiconductor products, aerospace products, dairy products, This includes pharmaceutical products, including pharmaceuticals and COVID-19 vaccines.
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Major companies headquartered in Ireland include Accenture (professional services), Eaton Corporation (industrial power), Trane Technologies (air conditioning, heating and refrigeration), Kerry Group (dairy products), and Bank of Ireland.
Despite sectarian troubles in the past, Ireland and Northern Ireland have a close business relationship. “It's in our interest to see them thrive as well,” Houlihan said.
Contact the author at russ.wiles@arizonarepublic.com.
